When Pastor Keith Beck heard glass shattering downstairs, he knew what he had to do. After all, his wife and three daughters were home at the time, and there was no way he was taking any chances.
The incident, which happened late last week, unfolded after Beck investigated the noise and found 19-year-old Donavan Simmons busting through the glass.
According to the Atlanta Constitution-Journal, spokeswoman Marianne Kelley said “the homeowner advised that the suspect was making entry into the basement area of his home when he shot in the general direction of the suspect.” The pastor is apparently a pretty good shot, fortunately, because he struck the intruder directly in the head – with one shot.
Incredibly, at least two of their three children slept through the entire incident, according to a neighbor.
“Come to the door and she was screaming, ‘invader in the house!’ and her two kids were still in there asleep,” nearby resident Bill Kennedy said. “I think he did the right thing, protect his family.”
Thankfully, none of the family were injured, even though there were a few terrifying moments where mom and her 12-year-old daughter were not able to get the younger two children, who were the ones that slept through the shooting.
The intruder stumbled into the backyard after being hit, and was found by police laying in agony. The suspect was later charged with a host of offenses, including but not limited to burglary and making terroristic threats.
Neighbors were very supportive of the Pastor’s actions, as well as sorry the entire incident happened in the low crime neighborhood in the first place.
“I mean, I’m sorry that the individual chose to break into his home. But I’m glad the homeowner defended his family,” Ledlie Conger told WAGA. Conger’s own home was allegedly broken into just days prior.
“Someone breaking into your house, you got a right to shoot them,” neighbor James Tanner agreed.